The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-09-17

they happened TO meet with such strange
frequency afterward.
She was so innocently pleased when he
CHANGED to overtake her on her errands
about the village or in her rambles after
wild blossoms or the berries beginning to
ripen in the delicious hooks along the shin
ing stream!-and she was too inexperienced
too lacking in vanity to fancy that his eyes
and footsteps sought her ever and as uner-
ringly as the magnet seeks the star.
She only knew that since their fateful
meeting the whole world was changed to
her, that she was no longer content with
her simple surroundings, that her soul was
stirred with fierce craving for something
different than had been her birthright.
Her sleeping heart had been awakened;
and in these strange new dreams and
yearnings, she deemed she had learned the
lesson of loving.
AT least that was the fancy Carol Van
deryon's meaning whispers and adoring
glances had taught her.
"Of course | can never marry dear old
Lewis now," she would think with misty
eyes and burning cheeks. "And he won't
grieye so very much, am sure. He isn't
like Carrol-so tender, so loving. so true !
And besides, he can't give me splendid
life among gay, grand people-such a life
as Carol can paint so we'll and eloquent
ly."
II was but natural, perhaps, that she
should be flattered and impressed by hand
some. persuasive Mr. Vandervon's glowing
descriptions of his city home and life.
1t had never occurred to her that simple
village maid might be lily suited for life
amid the splendor and grandeur ''unto
which she was not born"-that she might
fade and pine, neglected and forgotten, like
her gift of white violets which long ago had
been consigned to dust and oblivion by the
fascinating Carol VanderYon.
The only cloud upon her dazzling new
happiness was her engagement to Lewis
Burial.
Some instinct warned her that her be-
trothed, even though he should release her,
would interpose stern judgment against
her elegant new lover.
'And he has so much influence with
grandpapa," she sighed. ''If he should
argue the matter, grandpapa might never
consent to what we would wish, Carol"
1--WE will forestall anything of that kind
by marriage first and explanations after
ward," Carol answered plausibly, in his
fondest tones. I'VE will have our prom
ised sail in your grandpapa's pretty little
new boat in the morning; we. will start
early and go down the lake; we will stop at
the last landing, where is a railway connec-
tion; we will take the train from there, and
before sunset you will be my wife"
Tomorrow murmured.E .Efose, startled
by an arrangement so readily aud impetu-
ously planned.
II was to leave tomorrow, anyway. YOU
know, my pet" he answered, II think l
mentioned that my mother and her party
will stop here on their way from Saratoga
in few days; they propose dragging me
away with them on their round of summer
excitements ImusL avoid them if would
escape their opportunities
''But you would return?'' Eloise said.
family, with on uneasy heart and unsteady
lips.
81 prefer taking you with me, my little
wild flower, and bringing you back my
bride-my own beyond the power of any
other coming between u.s." he returned, in
his most persuasive tones, with his mes
meric eyes fixed pleadingy upon her beau
tiful, irresolute face.
In after years Eloise could never recall
that moment without shudder
She was like one upon whom had been
wrought some spell of sorcery; her will was
no longer her own; and the stronger will
held her, like sepent-charmed bird, reluc-
tant and yet futtering helplessly into its
power.
And so she yielded TO the pleadings and
persuasioas OF her new lover
The dew was yet sparkling on the grass
when she left the pretty village cottage and
went down to the tiny landing where the
little sail-boat was moored, its snowy sail
and freshly-pairted lines cleaning like
those Of some fairy craft in the golden
morning sunshine.
But she no longer tripped along with
buoyant feet and ''heart as light as air"
An unfamiliar sense of dread and wrong
doing had blanched the delicate face be-
meath the broad straw hat; there was
shrinking and tremulous something in every
motion OF the lovely figure, very unlike its
wonted free and blithesome grace.
Even handsome Carol Vanderyon's fas-
cinating presence and tender gayety had no
power TO bring back the color TO her pale
cheeks, and the light to her troubled eyes.
In his own radiant mood, he never noticed |
her strange pallor and abstraction.
"our train is nearly due; we haven't long
to watt" said he glancing at his watch as
they reached the landing at the further end |
Of the lake.
He had lowered the snowy sail, the boat
was drawn alongside the pier, and he turned
TO assist Eloise up the plank
For one second the girl turned her white
face toward the green hill looming in the
hazy distance above the shining waters OF
the lake; and in that second some instinct
warned her she was leaving home and hap
mess forever behind her.
She hesitated, shivered and then, as If
helplessly, yielded herself TO his guidance.
He escorted her to the parlor of hotel
directly across the track from the station;
and at that instant an express came rushing
up to the platform, came toa standsiill, and
a crowd of passengers alighted.
Several entered the hotel parlor, and
among them Eloise noted two ladies who
started in smiling surprise as they chanced
n OH /